Having trouble with brake hoses from Zip

[Patrick B.]

When replacing the front caliper piston seals in a 70 LT-1, I decided to replace the brake hoses for good measure. I ordered brake hoses and organic pads from Zip. The "organic" pads were so metallic that they would hold a magnet. Zip agreed to take them back, saying they weren't as metallic as the ones advertized to be metallic (yes, the logic is baffling).

After obtaining real organic pads, I installed the right side caliper with the new brake hose and attempted to bleed it. At this point I discovered that the connection between the brake hose and the steel line leaked. There was no visible defect in the hose fitting, and I made sure the contact between the steel brake line and the hose fitting was clean. But I couldn't get it to stop leaking. Fearing that the flare in the steel line was cracked, I put the original 40 year old hose back on to test it. It did not leak with the old hose.

Have any of you Corvette mechanics had success with the Zip hoses? Are there any good sources for real Delco brake parts. I remember a place that used to sell AC Delco parts for Corvettes at wholesale that was located in a town called "Three Forks Trickem, GA", but I can't find them on the net.

[Dick W.]

Re: Having trouble with brake hoses from Zip

Pat, SPW has moved to Oppaluka (sp) AL. Don't have their phone # anymore, may Dr. Q will post it.

Good luck on real Delco parts as everything they sell is manufactured for them, not by them.

[Mike M.]

Re: Having trouble with brake hoses from Zip

pat: google specialty parts warehouse in oops alabama,mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Having trouble with brake hoses from Zip

When replacing the front caliper piston seals in a 70 LT-1, I decided to replace the brake hoses for good measure. I ordered brake hoses and organic pads from Zip. The "organic" pads were so metallic that they would hold a magnet. Zip agreed to take them back, saying they weren't as metallic as the ones advertized to be metallic (yes, the logic is baffling).

After obtaining real organic pads, I installed the right side caliper with the new brake hose and attempted to bleed it. At this point I discovered that the connection between the brake hose and the steel line leaked. There was no visible defect in the hose fitting, and I made sure the contact between the steel brake line and the hose fitting was clean. But I couldn't get it to stop leaking. Fearing that the flare in the steel line was cracked, I put the original 40 year old hose back on to test it. It did not leak with the old hose.

Have any of you Corvette mechanics had success with the Zip hoses? Are there any good sources for real Delco brake parts. I remember a place that used to sell AC Delco parts for Corvettes at wholesale that was located in a town called "Three Forks Trickem, GA", but I can't find them on the net.

Patrick-------


If you examine the hoses from ZIP carefully I think you will find that somewhere on them it will be printed "Made in China" or "Made in Taiwan". If you buy a set of Delco brake hoses (or, Raybestos, Wagner, Bendix, etc.) you will find the same thing. I don't think that any of the brake hoses sold today by the major brands will be found today to be made in USA.

I understand that Corvette Stainless Steel Brakes in Florida does sell some hoses made in the USA. Just what their source is I do not know. However, I know it's not one of the major brake parts brands.

Keep one thing in mind, though: just because they are made in China, Taiwan or wherever does not mean they are automatically bad. Brake hoses are a part that has to be DOT-approved, so there is some protection from that. It could just be that you got a bad hose, especially if one of the ones you used worked ok.

By the way, you aren't using stainless steel brake lines are you?

[Patrick B.]

Re: Having trouble with brake hoses from Zip

Gentlemen:
Thanks for the new contact info on SPW.

The DOT safety standard regulates the properties of the bulk hose material, it does not involve the fittings or individual hose assemblies. The brake lines on the car are original not stainless steel. Also they are not corroded because I have had silicon fluid in the car since 1975. The unsleeved calipers are original to the car. The problem is the mating of the line flare to the cone inside the fitting. Perhaps there is a slight difference in angle

[Edward J.]

Re: Having trouble with brake hoses from Zip

Pat, Are you using new stainless lines or steel? Either way I find that when replacing lines or hoses they really require a little extra tug on the fittings to seat. Those fittings are under a lot of pressure when stepping on the brake.

[Joe L.]

Re: Having trouble with brake hoses from Zip

Gentlemen:
Thanks for the new contact info on SPW.

The DOT safety standard regulates the properties of the bulk hose material, it does not involve the fittings or individual hose assemblies. The brake lines on the car are original not stainless steel. Also they are not corroded because I have had silicon fluid in the car since 1975. The unsleeved calipers are original to the car. The problem is the mating of the line flare to the cone inside the fitting. Perhaps there is a slight difference in angle

Patrick-----


It's more than just the hose. I believe the double crimp on the fittings is also part of the DOT requirements. That's one of the reasons that hoses exactly like the original 65-72 hoses are not reproduced.

[Patrick B.]

Re: Having trouble with brake hoses from Zip

The lines are not new. They are the original steel lines, and they work fine with the original hoses. Everything is original, lines, hoses and calipers.